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WHAT FIFTY YEARS 
HAVE WROUGHT 


A PRESENTATION IN TYPE AND 
PICTURES OE FIFTY YEARS’ 
CxROWTH OF THE SHERWIN- 
\YILLIAMS COAiPANY, THE 
LARGEST PAINT AND VARNISH 
M AKERS IN THE W O R L D 


The Sherwin-Williams Co. 

PAINT, VARNISH AND COLOR MAKERS, MINERS OF 
LEAD, COPPER AND ZINC ORE. SMELTERS OFZINC 
OXIDE, CORRODERS OF WHITE LEAD, CRUSHERS 
OF FLAXSEED, MAKERS OFDYESTUFFS 


FACTORIES: CLEVELAND, CHICAGO, NEWARK, MONTREAL, LONDON, ENG. 
SALES OFFICES AND WAREHOUSES IN PRINCIPAL CITIES 


.Ssi , 


Copyright, 1916 

BY 

The Sherwin-Williams Co. 


©'CI.A4!)0i ‘in 


APR -6 1916 



The year 1916 marks the Fiftieth 
Year of the Company in business. 
Our progress has been the result of a 
firm and unshakeahle faith in quality, 
hacked by sound policies and aggressive 
methods. 

In all these years the Company has 
adhered to the original ideas and ideals 
of quality in men, methods and materials. 

That this has been a wise course is evident 
from the steady growth of our business. 

We have here set down such historical 
data as we believe will interest those who 
take a few moments from the busy day 
to turn over the pages. 


\ 


MR. HENRY AI.DEN SEIERWIN 



Founder of The Sherwin-Williams 
Company at Cleveland, Ohio, in 
1866, now Chairman of the Board 
of Directors. 





































































































































































































































My Golden Jubilee Message 

By H. A. SHERWIN, Chairman of Board of Directors 

Henry Alden Sherwin was born September 27, 1842, at Baltimore, 

Vermont; son of Alden W. Sherwin and Rachel (Bachelder) Sherwin. 

Mr. Sherwin was educated in the public schools of Vermont. At 
the age of thirteen he commenced his business career, and for six years 
worked at various occupations. In 1860 he came to Cleveland and 
entered a dry goods firm as a junior clerk, and was promoted to book¬ 
keeper when he was with this concern only two years. He next ventured 
into the wholesale grocery business, starting as bookkeeper, subse¬ 
quently becoming a member of the firm. 

In July, 1866, he left this business to become the founder of the 
present paint industry, starting under the name of Dunham & Com¬ 
pany, and it remained so until January, 1870, when E. P. Williams 
was taken into the firm, and it became Sherwin, Williams & Company. 

In 1884 this Company was incorporated into The Sherwin-Williams 
Company. 

AS the year 1916 dawns, I need not tell you the extreme 
r\ pleasure it gives me when I realize that our Company is 
privileged to celebrate its Fiftieth Anniversary, or 
Golden Jubilee. An occasion of this kind, with all it indi¬ 
cates as to the growth and success of our Company, was far 
beyond my wildest dreams when I began the business in 1866, 

This would seem a fitting time to write up a little history 
of the organization, but when my mind goes back to review the 
work of early years, I find my own life so closely interwoven 
with that of the Company, the matter seems a little too per¬ 
sonal to go on record at this time. Yet, when I think of the 
thousands of loyal men and women now associated with me, I 
deem it a privilege to refer briefly to some features which seem 
to be worth while, if only as an inspiration to those who are 
now so ably carrying on the work and bearing the burdens. 

In July, 1866, I quite unexpectedly dropped into the 
paint business. It seems to have been one of those oppor¬ 
tunities that come to men early in life, and I am free to say 
I did not realize what it would lead to. I only seized it at 
the time as one of three business offers, and this one was at 
the time the least remunerative of the three, but it was the 
one which in my youthful strength and ambition gave promise 
of a future greater than the others. I was willing to tackle 
the hardest job and I have never regretted my choice. 

I now consider it was fortunate that I had almost no cap¬ 
ital. It consisted principally in health, ambition and a few 


MyGoJde^n Juhil^G^ Messa^o 


years of such experience as many boys get who must work 
their own way in the world. 

From the very beginning I felt that I had struck my life 
work, and would not allow myself to entertain a thought of 
any other occupation. Then I kept in mind the homely 
motto, “What is worth doing, is worth doing well.” 

I began by establishing a thorough office system. Then, 
in order to learn all I could about the goods and at the same 
time systematize the care and arrangement of them, I fre¬ 
quently put on old clothes and worked like a porter. I 
opened packages and examined their contents, found what 
they were for and how used, compared costs, and evenings 
studied all the books and catalogs I could find which in any 
way referred to these materials. While doing these things, 
I was training our employees in system, good order, and 
cleanliness everywhere about the establishment. I have 
always believed a fine sense of order prevents mistakes, 
saves time, pleases patrons, and is real economy to any 
business. 

Fifty years is a long time to remember daily affairs, and 
I cannot tell when and how, little by little, there grew to be 
foundation principles, but I am quite sure they began to be 
formed in those early years, and I am extremely proud of 
the fact that our Company today preserves these principles, 
and has added others equally as valuable. There is a sincere 
effort throughout our organization to live up to these prin¬ 
ciples, and not just to frame them and hang them on the wall. 
It was always my endeavor to do everything I could to estab¬ 
lish a good reputation by giving good measure and good 
quality, to avoid every trick that would save a penny at the 
expense of the other fellow. 

In 1869 we erected linseed oil works in Cleveland, and 
my partners were giving that branch of the business their 
particular attention, which left me without able assistance 
in the paint business, so I proposed a dissolution and a divi¬ 
sion of the business. This was agreed to. I relinquished my 
interest in the linseed oil department, and they in the paint 





MyGolde^ji Jiibile^e^ Mossa^o 


department. At the same time I looked about for new 
partners to help me carry the load which I had assumed. 
1 his resulted in forming a new partnership, in January, 1870, 
with Mr. E. P. Williams and Mr. A. T. Osborn. Mr. Wil¬ 
liams brought to the business the ability, energy and support 
which was required when we were growing so fast; Mr. 
Osborn was my head accountant. About this time my good 
friend, Mr. S. P. Fenn, joined the force, and it is now one of 
my greatest pleasures that he is still one of us veterans, with 
the title of Vice-President. 

The history of prepared paint as a marketable article is 
almost contemporary with the organization of our Company. 
It was about the year 1866 when Mr. D. R. Averill, of New¬ 
burgh (long since a busy part of Cleveland), ‘"invented” a 
liquid paint which did not settle in the package. To accom¬ 
plish this he made use of a formula which simply could not 
produce a reputable paint. Averill thought he had made a 
great discovery and that a fortune was in his grasp. He 
certainly was a pioneer in a great industry, but his line of pro¬ 
cedure was not wisely chosen, so he, and those associated 
with him, never quite realized their ambition. His hope 
was to monopolize the business through his patents—some¬ 
thing that any sane paint chemist knows cannot be done. 

Though I had no confidence in Averill’s undertaking, I 
was on friendly terms with him, and one day he invited me, 
with two other men, out to his little factory to witness his 
process, in order that he might be prepared for legal fights 
over the patents. And little as I knew then about making 
paint, after seeing what materials he used, I came away content 
to vigorously oppose “Patent” paint, as all liquid paint was 
called for many years. Averill soon had many imitators, 
and unfortunately for those who came after, imitated him too 
closely. Thus there came to be a well-founded prejudice 
against prepared paints. But the way had been opened to 
fill a long felt want, and gradually the larger and older manu¬ 
facturers began to turn their attention to the production of 
paints in liquid form of reputable quality. 









MyGoIde^n Mossa^o 


With this handicap of prejudice and failure before us, 
we gave up our opposition to prepared paints, and put all of 
our energy into experiments to see if we could make a really 
good paint in liquid form. I need not tell you the results. 
Sherwin-Williams Paint was put on the market as the best 
paint that had ever been made. This claim has had abundant 
proof for over a third of a century, and today Sherwin-Wil¬ 
liams Paint is the widest known, the best liked, and by far 
the most largely distributed of any in the world. 

Various experiments and final success in manufacturing 
fine colors resulted in this Company developing two things: 
First, the invention of a type of mill so much superior to 
any others known that we have not been able to make more 
than minor improvements in them since. Second, the be¬ 
ginning and development of a style of advertising that has 
made our name widely and favorably known throughout the 
world. 

There have been extensive and varied developments in 
our business, such as our manufacture of products particu¬ 
larly adapted to railroad uses, manufacture of carriages, 
automobiles, etc. 

There has always been a disposition with our Company 
to get down to first principles, to secure the best equipment, 
both mental and mechanical, and to insure the use of the best 
raw materials, we have become producers of most of the 
staples that enter into our products, owning and operating 
lead and zinc mines, smelters, a corroding plant, linseed oil 
works, chemical color works, departments for the manufacture 
of containers, printing and publishing, etc., most of these 
possessing some unique and improved methods. All of these 
have grown up by the al)le and untiring efforts of our own 
people, and all without combinations in restraint of trade. 
Thus one can easily see how this Company has become a 
world leader in its line of business. We live in the days of 
large affairs, and while principles never change, methods do, 
and great opportunities open to those who have the ability to 
see and grasp them. 


( 8 ) 





I 




My Golde^ji Jiibil^G^ Mossa^o 


When I began business a carload was twenty tons, now it 
is fifty or more. In 1866 there was no through railroad to the 
Pacific Coast, no Suez Canal, no Panama Canal, no tele¬ 
phones, no dynamos, no electric lights, no storage batteries, 
no electric railways, no wireless telegraph, no steam turbines, 
no typewriters, no airships, and no automobiles. Other dis¬ 
coveries, inventions and developments within fifty years of 
more or less importance than those I have mentioned, would 
fill a volume, so you will not wonder that in looking back fifty 
years T marvel at the changes that have taken place in that 
time, and The Sherwin-Williams Company is simply keeping 
pace with the world’s progress. 

I would like to extend a friendly greeting to everyone 
connected with this organization in all parts of the world— 
to every merchant who handles and every consumer who 
uses our products. If it were possible for me to personally 
meet those who are interested in The Sherwin-Williams 
Company, such is my confidence in the quality of our prod¬ 
ucts and of our business methods, I believe I would be 
welcomed, and that a good word would be said for the goods 
which bear our name. 

It is too much for me to expect to be spared to see the 
Sixtieth Anniversary. In any event, I am still looking for¬ 
ward to the continuance of the proud records that have l)een 
made. I know the Company is in safe hands. It has been 
a great pleasure to me to note the many who have been so 
long associated with me, and the many merchants and con¬ 
sumers who have handled our goods for many years. This 
Fiftieth Jubilee could harcjly be called such without their 
all being one with us at this time, although many miles 
separate us one from the other. 


Yours cordially. 



( 9 ) 










MR. EDWARD PORTER WILLIAMS 


Mr. Sherwin's partner from 1870 
to 1903. At the time of his 
death, May 4, 1903, Mr. Wil¬ 
liams was Vice-President of the 
Company. 


( 10 ) 








The Board of Directors, 1916 


The Board of Directors, 1903 

The personnel of the Board 13 years ago was identical with 

the present Board 






MR. WALTER HORACE COTTINGHAM 


President The Sherwin-Williams 
Co.; President The Sherwin-Wil¬ 
liams Co. of Canada, Ltd.; Chair¬ 
man Lewis Berger & Sons, Ltd., 
London, Eng.; Chairman Lewis 
Berger & Sons iAustralia), Ltd., 
Sydney, Australia, 


( 12 ) 






1 he Great Achievement 

By WALTER H. COTTINGHAM, President 

1866—Born in Omemee, Ont., Canada. 

1881 At age of fifteen, clerked in retail hardware store, Peterboro, 

Ont., Canada. 

1887—Went to Montreal to make Gold Paint and other specialties. 

1891— Owned Walter H. Cottingham & Co. 

1892— Obtained Canadian Agency for Sherwin-Williams Paints and 
Varnishes. 

1894 Organized The Walter H. Cottingham Co. and The Cottingham 
Varnish Co. to manufacture Sherwin-Williams Products in 
Canada. 

1897—Merged The Walter H. Cottingham Co. of Montreal with The 
Sherwin-Williams Co- 

1897— Was made Director of The Sherwin-Williams Co. and Manager 
of its Canadian business. 

1898— Was appointed General Manager of The Sherwin-Williams Co. 

1903—Was made Vice-President and General Manager of The Sherwin- 
Williams Co. 

1909—Was elected President of The Sherwin-Williams Co. 

F ^IFTY years in business is the event we celebrate in our 
Golden Jubilee. The thing that makes the occasion 
interesting and inspiring is the fact that the fifty years 
have been years of steady and constantly increasing progress. 

History is only interesting and enlightening when it 
records advancement and real achievements. This is as 
true of the history of business as it is of the history of nations 
and of mankind. 

The development and upbuilding of a business is like the 
development and upbuilding of character—it is a slow and 
often painful process. Experience is the inexorable teacher—■ 
perseverance and endurance the test. 

To have lived and worked fifty years is interesting, but 
not important. To have made the years and the work count 
for something in the world’s progress is alone worth recording 
and celebrating. The world is not greatly interested in the 
number of our years; it cares only to know what we have 
done. 

'‘Established in 1866” means nothing; “The Largest in 
the World in 1916” is a notable record. It is the thing that 
counts. Larger still in 1917 is the spirit behind the achieve¬ 
ment. 

We have won our success because we have worked for 
it. We have paid the price in ceaseless, intelligent effort. 


( 13 ) 





Tho Gr^a~t Achie^v^m^nt 


We have trained day in and day out during these fifty years 
in the mills, in the factories, in the mines, in the smelters, in 
the laboratories, in the warehouses, in the counting-houses; 
at the machines, at the desks, in the club-rooms and in the 
convention halls; on the road and in the stores and work¬ 
shops of our customers. We have planned and experimented. 
We have preached and practised. And in all our work we 
have been directed by the one controlling thought —to excel. 

We have striven with all our might to put our organi¬ 
zation in the forefront—not only in our own trade, not only in 
our own country, but in the world of commerce at home and 
abroad. 

In all our struggling and striving we have enjoyed our 
work. We have taken pleasure as well as profit out of it. 
We have not looked upon our work merely as a job, but as an 
opportunity for a career—a career not merely of money 
making, but of constructive achievement. We have tried 
to build something more than a money-making corporation. 
We have tried to build an institution that will live after us 
—an institution that will continue to give opportunities for 
sound success to countless young men and women, seeking to 
make the most of themselves in business careers. 

This, then, has been the spirit of our work, and this is 
my explanation of our success. 

And let me add, it has always been our aim to build up 
our business without tearing down others. We have tried 
to ‘‘do our bit” to put our industry on a higher and better 
basis, and although not members of trade associations, we 
have always been ready to support those things that we 
believed would benefit the trade. We have always been friend¬ 
ly with our competitors, and have greatly valued their good 
will. In our competition, which we have entered into with 
vigor, we have sought to be fair and considerate—believing 
in the doctrine of live and let live. 

And now, a brief, personal word. I have always looked 
upon The Sherwin-Williams Company as my great oppor¬ 
tunity. From the beginning of my connection with the 


( 14 ) 
















Th^ Gr^ai: Achi^\^om^irt 

Company, I saw clearly unlimited possibilities in the busi¬ 
ness—only a small portion of which have yet been realized. 
I he confidence and enthusiasm I felt for our future was due 
to my faith in the splendid principles and the sound and 
aggressive methods on which the business was conducted. 
All honor and praise must be given at this time to the founders 
of the business—Mr. Sherwin, Mr. Williams and Mr. Fenn, 
for it is largely due to their foresight, wisdom and sterling 
characters, that a foundation was laid strong enough to carry 
the superstructure that we of later years have been able to 
erect upon it. 

I shall never forget the inspiration and enthusiasm I felt 
when I first came in touch with the Company, and the men 
who were then managing it; and I acknowledge now with 
feelings of the greatest gratitude my indebtedness to the 
Company and to these men, for the training and good in¬ 
fluence that came to me through my connection and associa¬ 
tion with them. I count it the wisest decision I ever made, 
when I decided to cast in my lot with them, and a large meas¬ 
ure of the success I have enjoyed I attribute to this decision. 

I am not much inclined to spend time or thought in look¬ 
ing back over the past, excepting to learn from it the things 
that help to make a better future. So I will not attempt to 
review the great days of our great march to the forefront of 
our industry—encouraging as they are. I see ahead a vision 
that far eclipses anything that we have yet done. 

The results we have thus far attained have never sur¬ 
prised me, as my hopes and expectations for the business have 
always run ahead of our achievements. I know we are capa¬ 
ble of much greater things. I know the earnest, ambitious 
and enthusiastic spirit which permeates our entire organiza¬ 
tion will force the way to a more brilliant future. It is this 
very thing that makes our proposition so attractive to me. 
I know of nothing that equals the satisfaction one feels in 
working out successfully with his associates plans of merito¬ 
rious progress. 

Long ago I gave expression to the idea that no one had 


( 15 ) 












Tho Gr&a't Achi^vom^nt 


ever made the most of the great possibilities of our industry— 
and this is about as true today as it was then. My confidence 
in our ability to realize these high hopes lies in the faith T 
have in the men who direct and manage our widespread 
organization. Trained in ways of efficiency, ambitious tor 
the Company and themselves, tireless in energy and unequaled 
in knowledge of their work and in ability for accomplishments 
—nothing can resist their compelling force. 

Before I finish, I want to most heartily acknowledge my 
great debt of gratitude to these managers, and to all our 
staff, for their efficient and loyal support, which has never 
failed me, and which I know better than anyone else has 
wrought our success. I have enjoyed immensely my asso¬ 
ciation with them, and their co-operation, willingness, en¬ 
thusiasm and loyalty have ever given me the courage to press 
forward and to unhesitatingly seize every opportunity for 
the upbuilding of our institution, towards which I feel all of 
us have given the best that is in us. 

One more acknowledgment and I am through; and that 
is for the magnificent support we have always enjoyed from 
our agents, dealers and consumers in all parts of the world. 
Next to our interest in our stockholders and in our staff, has 
always been our interest in our agents and customers. We 
have sincerely tried to consider their welfare, as well as our 
own, in all our dealings; and we are proud of the good will 
that exists between us, and of our long years of association 
with so many of them. It will continue to be our policy to 
make our business grow, by helping our customers to make 
their businesses grow. And I express the earnest hope 
that we may all, stockholders, employees, customers and 
consumers, live to enjoy continued and increasing happiness 
and prosperity in all our dealings and relations with one 
another. 



( 16 ) 















iiii!,ill Hill!,lii., !, 'ii-^irKOiiyiiiiiimiiiiiiiimiiiiiniiiiM^ 


irij 


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I 4 XJ -Ilia-- «m 


.iir^ jm mix-nj» m» mj itzT~~ 


MY IDEA OF BUSINESS 


To make a good article 

To sell it at a fair price 

To create a ^vide demand for it 

To build up a7i efficient organvzation 

To 7nake opportunities for employees 

To help customers to become prosperous 

To give satisfaction to consumers 

To practice the square deal 

If these things are done well the object 
of business will be gained^ which is 
profit—profit to the owners^ to the 
employees^ to the custo?ners^ and 
satisfactio7i to the consumers 



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President 


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( 17 ) 













































V 



MR SERENO 1^ FENN 



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Vice-President of the Company. 
Mr. Fenn has heeyi active in the 
business since 1870, and a mem¬ 
ber of the ''firni' smce 1880. 



( 18 ) 
























































































The Days when^ 

By S. P. FENN, Vice-President 

Sereno P. Fenn, Vice-President of The Sherwin-Wiliiams Company, 
was born Aprii 25, 1844, at Tallmadge, Ohio, the son of Sereno and Eiiza 
Fenn. His parents came from New England. He was educated in the 
public common and high school, Tallmadge, Ohio, and the Humiston 
Military Institute of Cleveland, Ohio. His first occupation was witli 
the U. S. Pension Bureau, Cleveland, Ohio, subsequently with the Big 
Four Railroad, where he remained six years. Since 1870 he has been 
connected with The Sherwin-Williams Co., in the positions of Cashier, 

Treasurer and Vice-President. Mr. Fenn was a member of the 164th 
Regiment O. V. I. in the Civil War. He was married May 15, 1873, 
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Mary A, DeWitt. 

W L take off our hats to our worthy Chairman and those 
who stood with him in the days and years of 1866- 
1870, and who represented to the world in such a 
condensed form The Sherwin-Williams Company of the pres¬ 
ent. Two or three, besides a half-dozen store employees, 
were all, and none but Mr. Sherwin is with us today. 

You ask for memories of those olden times, but of those 
hrst four years they are very dim to me. I worked in the 
freight office of the Big Four Railway and knew the hrm only 
as one of a good name which paid its freight bills promptly, 
and this was the extent of any particular interest that I had 
in it. Mr. A. T. Osborn was the Company, but I knew 
neither Mr. Sherwin nor him at all intimately, and am free to 
confess that had not Mr. Sherwin been as much interested 
in the V. M. C. A. as T in those days, and ever since, 
I might never have known him more intimately than in the 
past; but it happened to be my good fortune to be appointed 
with him delegate to the International Convention held in 
Portland, Me., in 1869, and from the mutual friendship 
developed during that trip, I was called on April 1, 1870, to 
occupy the desk of cashier and bookkeeper, and to begin the 
long but delightful experiences of the forty-six years to this 
of Jubilee. I anticipate that the thought was as foreign to 
his mind as it was to mine, of either, much less both, attaining 
to any such length of business association. 

Mr. E. P. Williams ante-dated my coming by three 
months, and I wish to bear testimony here and now to the 
kindness and patience of these three men in dealing with a 


( 19 ) 


Th^Di^ys whe^n Wo Wore^ Yoiin4 


young man like myself with so little experieiiee and showing 
sympathy in my sincere endeavor to do acceptable work in 
the office and upon the books, which at the hrst was so strange 
to me and I to it. 

I have no doubt but for years the idea of expansion and 
growth had been in the mind of Mr. Sherwin, and perhaps 
somewhat in that of Mr. Osborn and Mr. Williams, as they 
in turn added to the necessary wherewithal in the line of 
capital, not only for the business as it was but for such antici¬ 
pated growth, all of which concerned me but little because 
of the fact that I had nothing to contribute beyond my fingers 
and brain to keep my journal and ledger straight and the cash 
in balance every night. 

Our office was not large at 126 Superior Street, and there 
were very few people, and need of very few in the compara¬ 
tively small business of those days, and it was no breach of 
conhdence that I did ofttimes hear the plans and ideas of a 
possible manufacturing business to compete with large con¬ 
cerns which were then in evidence prominently—Masury, 
F. W. Devoe & C. T. Reynolds, and others similar. These 
were some of the standard lines, but liquid paints were coming 
rapidly to the front and it was a question of methods to im¬ 
prove upon Averill, Rubber, and the like, which were being 
used in many quarters. I recall such remarks as ''Nothing, 
unless we can make it better or equally good with the best.” 

It is a tremendously long look ahead for fifty years, or 
even twenty-five, and I recall another remark, which was not 
uncommon—“We would rather go slow and make less profit, 
if necessary, and be able some day to leave to our successors 
a business in quality not to be ashamed of. We had rather 
sell a few goods that we are willing to put our name upon in 
guarantee, than many that we are not willing to.” 

As to expansion and capital, the decision was clear and 
emphatic that progress should be made no faster than working 
capital could be provided, which would be sufficient and 
available, and the idea of sufficiency was in connection with 
short terms, prompt collections and friendly banks from 


( 20 ) 









T/ic? /Jays whe^n Wo Wore^ Yoi/n^ 


which wc coiikl make reasonable borrowings, with which ad¬ 
vantage could !)e taken of all good discounts and purchases 
for cash connected with stock and all supplies. These were 
the i)rinciples, vigorously prescribed and in execution made 
emphatic, but comparatively simple for bookkeeping. These 
ideas were reiterated so often and so thoroughly impressed 
upon my inexperienced mind that I was never free from the 
idea that they were the most important in connection with 
all the affairs with which I had to do, and I believe that the 
impressions at that time were so positive that none of those 
early settlers was ever likely to forget them; and it seems to 
us that the growth of later years in extended and larger 
business by most worthy successors of those pioneers has 
been in the line of the application of the same principles 
pertaining to millions, which formerly reached only to thou¬ 
sands in the limited business, and from which there is no 
likelihood that we or any others that may come after will ever 
be safe to depart. It was by common consent that these 
were considered as the most essential and vital matters. 

Coupled with these were others of minor importance, but 
understood by us all, as considered by Mr. Sherwin as very 
essential indeed, namely—that which pertained to the orderly 
appearance of the office and all connected with it, whether 
men or material—that was where I noticed it most, for it 
was where I lived, but I have no reason to question in my mind 
but that the same principle applied to stationery and adver¬ 
tising, and to the appearance of the stock and salesroom in 
general. We learned early that a disorderly desk was an 
abomination in his sight, and have no reason to doubt that 
it is the same at the present time, for it was so positive then 
that it is not in human nature to outgrow it. It pertained 
to the minute detail of what in many places and by many 
people is considered of little or no importance—soiled blotters, 
gummy inkstands and pens, shiftless waste-baskets, and care¬ 
less exposure of mail matter and letters in filing baskets and 
elsewhere. He always observed how desks and chairs were 
left when occupants were at lunch or absent for any length of 



( 21 ) 












Th^Days whe^n We W^re^ Youn^ 

time. Some times it .seemed to us that more attention was 
paid to these matters than was necessary, but the longer we 
live the less we think so, and the more most of us consider 
them as essential in a thoroughly conducted business at the 
present time, or any other. 

I am sure my allotted space is filled, and this is enough. 
You asked for memories and these are a few from the last 
century, but equally applicable to the new one and others to 
come, all of which have to do with the success of individuals, 
or of any well-conducted business. 


Vice-President 





Sherwin-Williams Code of Principles 

To win on our merits. 

To be the best and largest concern of the kind in the 
world. 

To be broad and liberal as well as aggressive in our 
policy and methods. 

To take a pride in our institution. 

To be loyal to the Company and to each other. 


To foster good fellowship among ourselves, and to 
take pleasure as well as profit out of our work. 

To strive constantly for the improvement and ad¬ 
vancement of the business and ourselves. 

To be considerate, polite and courteous in all our 
dealings within and without the Company. 

To be high toned in everything, everywhere. 

To grow in knowledge and character as well as in size. 




































Chronological History of 

TheS tiERW/N -Williams Co. 


{Illustrated by Years) 

rhe following record of events in the history of The 
Sherwin-Williams Company was taken from a personal 
diary of Mr. Henry A. Sherwin, now Chairman of the Board 
of Directors. 

A perusal of these dates and achievements will indicate 
the decided, yet steady progress and growth of the Company, 
built on sound foundation principles in 1866 and established 
today on the same principles. 


1866 Henry A. Sherwin began business as wholesale and 
‘ retail dealer in paints, oils, varnishes, etc., in Cleve¬ 
land, with Truman Dunham and G. O. Griswold. One 
traveling representative. 



1867 New partnership agreement began 
under name of Truman Dunham &('o. 
engaged as bookkeeper. 


January 1st, 
A. T. Osljorn 



( 23 ) 





Chronolodical J/is^oiy 


1868 

1869 


A year of organization, expansion, good business 
methods, system, credit, etc. 

New partnership formed January 1st, admitting 
A. T. Osborn. Built linseed oil works in Cleveland. 





1870 On February 3d, G. O. Griswold and Truman Dun¬ 
ham retired and Edward P. Williams came into the 

hrm. New partnership formed under name of Sherwin, 
Williams & Co. In April, S. P. Fenn was engaged as book¬ 
keeper. Moved office and store from 118 to 126 Superior 
Street, warehouse in rear, on Long Street. 

1871 Formed partnership with Murphy & Co., of New 
York City, for varnish manufacturing, under name 

of Murphy, Sherwin & Co. Bought out the factory and 
business of George H. Kingsley. 

1872 More than 33)^ per cent, increase in sales over 
previous year. 

1873 ] anuary 1st, new partnership agreement, William 
H. Glover being admitted. Bought cooper shop 

building and lease of land on Cuyahoga river. Installed 
small engine and boiler, with one second-hand stone mill, 
putty-chaser, etc. Engaged Mike McCafferty, of New York, 
as foreman and began manufacturing paste paints, oil colors 
and putty. Great financial panic in the Autumn, passed 
through unscathed. 


( 24 ) 







C /nonoIofjicaJ //is^oiy 



1874 Country recovered from panic. Sales slightly in¬ 
creased over previous year. Considerable increase 
of manufacturing facilities. 


1875 ire in oil department, caused by spontaneous 
combustion of hot linseed oil. Loss confined to 
one small building and contents. 


1876 


Henry A. Sherwin experimenting on improved 
grinding mills. William H. Hogarth began as 


salesman. 



1877 New mills proved success. Mr. Glover’s interest 

bought over. 

1 Moved office and warehouse from Superior Street 

to \\ffiter Street. 

1 X7Q engaged as agent for Sherwin, 

Whlliams & Co., Murphy N Co. and D. White N 
Son, office and store at 175 Randolph Street,'Chicago, 


( 25 ) 
























CAronolofiical N/s^oiy 


1880 ' ncorporated Sherwin-Williams & Co. in Chicago 
with John F. Weare as resident manager, closed 

agency arrangement. S. P. Fenn admitted into partnership. 
Bought land on Canal Street, Cleveland, for office and ware¬ 
house. Mr. J. C. Beardslee joined the Company. 

1881 First Sherwin-Williams Convention. Six repre¬ 
senting the Company—Henry A. Sherwin, E. P. 

Williams, A. T. Osborn, S. P. Fenn, W. H. Hogarth and J. F. 
Weare. Eight traveling representatives—A. W. Ballard, 
D. E. Fisher, C. H. Hanna, J. B. Hanna, E. E. Lewis, D. S. 
Merchison, W. C. Weedon and C. S. Wheeler. Built new 
office and warehouse on Canal Street, with bridge over rail¬ 
road track to connect with factory. 



1882 I urned over all retail and local business to A. T. 
Osborn and A. Sherwood, who opened a store on 

Seneca Street. A. T. Osborn retired from Sherwin, Williams 
& Co. Moved office and all the remainder of the jobbing 
business to new building on Canal Street. 

1883 Moved Chicago office and warehouse to 241 Jackson 
Street. February, great flood in Cleveland, much 








Chron olo^cal History 

damage to plant and merchandise. First salesman exclusively 
for railroad lousiness. 

1884 April 18th, engaged graduate of Boston Tech, as 
chemist. May 10th, fire destroyed part of Cleveland 
plant, loss $70,000. Incorporated July 14th as The Sherwin- 
Williams Co. Business under corporation to date from De¬ 
cember 1, 188 vC Purchased land occupied by the Cleveland 
factory (previously leased). September 7th, great lumberyard 
fire on opposite side of river from our plant. Our property 
saved l^y heroic work of employees. Sherwin, Williams & Co., 
Chicago, transferred to The Sherwin-Williams Co. 




1885 Purchased additional land for extension of Cleve¬ 
land plant. 

1 886 29th, increased capital to $400,000. Franklin 

Murphy elected a director. 

1887 January, established New York office and ware¬ 
house, 174 Fulton Street. The Sherwin-Williams 

Co. Mutual Benefit Society organized. 

1888 Bought controlling interest in the Calumet Paint 
Co., Chicago. Purchased additional land for ex¬ 
tension of Cleveland plant. Purchased all Sherwin-Williams 

Co. stock held by Murphy & Co. 

( 27 ) 














Chronolofijcal History 



1889 January, opened Boston branch on Pearl Street. 
Purchased remaining interest in Calumet Paint Co. 

Withdrew from business connections with Murphy & Co. 
March 1st, increased capital to ^500,000. 

1890 Organized The Sherwin-Williams Transit Co. and 
purchased the steamer Lindsey. Mr. George Ford 

started the ‘‘Publicity” Department, relieving Mr. Sherwin 
and other officers of this work. This was the beginning of 
our present aggressive advertising policy. 



1891 September 29th, organized The Atherton Paint 
Co., \\ orcester, Mass., to conduct retail business. 

1892' January 12th, increased capital to $750,000. Jan¬ 
uary 29th, organized San Diego Paint Co., San 
Diego, Cal. Canadian agency let to Walter H. Cottingham 
Co., Montreal. 



Thi - (Janr^djan JDivis'Jon in Montreal 


( 28 ) 
























Chronolofijcal History 


1893 Organized The Cleveland Box Co. March 14th, 
organized The Lawrence Paint Co., Binghamton, 
X. Y. October 13th, organized The Victor Holmes Co., 
Jamestown, N. Y. Great flood—Cleveland plant damaged. 





1894 January, Chicago office and warehouse moved to 
Stewart Avenue and 26th Street. Wm. H. Hogarth 

retired from Company. The Walter H. Cottingham Co. and 
the Cottingham Varnish Co. were formed to manufacture 
Sherwin-Williams products in Canada. 

1895 Organized The Walter H. Cottingham Co., Ltd., in 

Alontreal, taking lease and fitting up office, factory 
and warehouse at the corner of St. Antoine and St. Genevieve 
Streets. The Cottingham Vffirnish Co. purchased land on 
St. Patricks Street, erected buildings and began making 
varnish. Organized The Old Colony Paint Co., Boston, Mass., 
takingover The Sherwin-Williams Co. warehouse. August 1st, 
organized The Orange Belt Paint Co., Los Angeles, Cal. 
Xhjvember 7th, sold out The Atherton Paint Co. 



( 29 ) 











ChronolodicaJ History 

1896 Moved New York office and warehouse to 397 
Washington Street. Purchased additional land for 
extension of Cleveland plant. Sold out The Victor Holmes Co. 



1897 Walter H. Cottingham Co., Ltd., merged into 
The Sherwin-Williams Co. in January. The Old 

Colony Paint Co., Boston, transferred to The Sherwin-Wil¬ 
liams Co. Walter H. Cottingham was made Director of 
The Sherwin-Williams Co. and Manager of its Canadian 
business. 

1898 Established depot in Toronto. Extension of varnish 
plants in Cleveland and Montreal. The Sherwin- 

Williams Co. flag designed and dedicated. Walter H. Cot¬ 
tingham was appointed General Manager of The Sherwin- 
Williams Co. 



1899 Established depot in Kansas City. Mo\ed Boston 
business to Purchase Street. John F. W'eare retired 
from the Company. 



( 30 ) 




















Chronolofijcal Hisiory 


1900 Established Sales Division with office and ware¬ 
house at San Francisco. Kansas City l)ranch made 
a Sales Division. Purchased from the Pullman Co. land and 
building occupied by the Calumet Paint Co. of Chicago. 
Purchased land and commenced building plant at Newark, N.J. 



1901 January 18th, increased capital to $1,500,000, and 
hscal year changed to end August 31st. The 
Orange Belt Paint Co. transferred to The Sherwin-Williams 
Co. In May, moved general office and warehouse from 
Washington Street, New York, to new plant at Newark, N. J. 
Manufacturing began July 1st, with W. J. Lawson as Super¬ 
intendent. Opened city office, 66 Broadway, New York. 



1902 I^ecember 12th, increased capital to $2,500,000. 

Purchased land and built linseed oil plant in Cleve¬ 
land. ITirchased land in Montreal, for office and factory, on 
Centre Street and Atwater Avenue. Opened Winnipeg depot. 
Opened Minneapolis depot, April 1st. Chicago City Office 
Railway Department opened in Fisher Building. Cet-To- 
gether Club organized in Cleveland. 


( 31 ) 
















ChronoJofijcal History 



1903 January 15th, increased capital to $3,500,000. Jan¬ 
uary 24th, moved Chicago office and warehouse 
from Stewart Avenue to new building of manufacturing plant 
at Kensington. On May 4th, Mr. Edward P. Williams, \4ce- 
President, died at his country home in Glenville, Ohio, having 
been business partner with Mr. Sherwin thirty-three years. 
Purchase of land and building to extend plant east on Canal 
Street, Cleveland. Dry color works, in connection with 
Chicago plant, complete and in operation in March. San 
Diego Paint Co. transferred to The Sherwin-Williams Co. 
Kansas City branch made a Sales District. Great flood in 
Kansas City in June submerged lower floors of our ware¬ 
house. Opened branch office in London, England. Began 
construction of new plant in Montreal. Walter H. Cotting- 
ham elected Vice-President and General Manager. General 
Accounting Department established at Cleveland with H. J. 
Douglas as Auditor. 



( 32 ) 





























Ch ronolofijra] History 


1904 ' ncorporated The Sherwiii-Willianis Co. of Massa¬ 
chusetts to conduct the New England Division of 
the business. Bought the Ozark Zinc Co., Joplin, Mo. 
Bought mines at Magdalena, New Mexico. July, moved 
Montreal office and manufacturing to new plant. Centre 
Street, formal opening ceremony September 6th. August 1st, 
opened depot in Portland, Ore. Large extension of Chicago 
plant. Flood in January submerged lower floors at Cleveland. 





t 





1905 Purchased all stock of Lewis Berger & Sons, Ltd., 

London, England. Established Sales Division at 
Cincinnati. Established Sales Division at Dallas,’ Texas. 
Established Sales Division at Savannah, Ga. In July, 
George A. Martin was appointed Manager of all Auxiliary 


Departments. December, organized The Ozark Smelting & 
Alining Co. Extension of linseed oil plant in Cleveland. 










( 33 ) 






















Chronolofijcal Hisi^ory 





1906 Extended Montreal plant and built linseed oil works. 

Built smelter at Coffeyville, Kan. Opened depot in 
Buffalo, N. Y. Opened depot in Omaha,. Neb. Established 
Sales Division at Philadelphia. August 22d, sold out the San 
Diego Paint Co. New warehouse erected in Winnipeg. 
Portland, Ore., depot changed to Sales Division. Made 
large addition to the Newark plant. April 13th, earthquake 
and fire in San Francisco destroyed our office and warehouse. 



( 34 ) 





































C/tronolodical //isiory 

1907 January 1st, changed Minneapolis depot to Sales 
Division. January 1st, moved Boston office and 
warehouse from Purchase Street to Stillings Street. Estab¬ 
lished Sales Division in St. Louis. Sold steamer Lindsey and 
liciuidated Sherwin-Williams Transit Co. September 26th. 
Opened depot at Seattle, Wash. Large additions to Chicago 
plant. Large additions to smelter plant at Coffeyville, Kan. 
Omaha depot made Sales Division. Great financial panic in 
Lnited States. Our Company survived with increased credit. 



1908 Opened depot at Spokane, Wash. Changed Winni¬ 
peg depot to Sales Division. Floods in Kansas City. 


First floor of warehouse under water. Moved New York City 
office to 50 Church Street. Took over Detroit Paint & 
Glass Co. Mr. A. D. Joyce made General Manager Sales and 
Distribution. January 27th, increased capital to $6,000,000. 






( 35 ) 



































Chronological History 


1909 Purchased additional land of the Pullman Co. for 

the extension of the Chicago plant and commenced 
erection of white lead works. Reorganization of officials of 
the Company, as follows: Henry A. Sherwin, Chairman of 
the Board; Walter H. Cottingham, President; S. P. Fenn, 
Vice-President and Treasurer; A. W. Frank, Secretary. Pur¬ 
chased land for the extension of the Newark plant. Opened 
depot at Pittsburgh, Pa. St. Louis Divison made head- 
(juarters of Mississippi Valley District. Opened depot in 
Houston, Texas. Opened depot at New Orleans, La. Opened 
depot at Vancouver, B. C. Opened depot in San Antonio, 
Texas. Increased capital to $8,000,000. 



1910 Established factory at Detroit, Mich. Moved 

Chicago city office to Steger Building. Lead cor¬ 
roding plant at Chicago complete and put into operation. 



(i 

mm: .’ 


( 36 ) 








































ChronolofiScal History 


1911 Began manufacture of dry colors and insecticides 
at Newark. Sale of Canadian department and 
Lewis Berger & Sons, Ltd., to The Sherwin-Williams Co. of 
Canada, Ltd. Dallas Sales Division made Texas District 
Heachiuarters. 



1912 Moved New York City offices to 116 West 32d 

Street, in connection with opening of New \ ork 
sales and showroom. Built new ore separating plant at 
Magdalena, New Mex. Opened warehouse at Birmingham, 
Ala. Opened warehouse at Denver, Colo. Opened ware¬ 
house at Indianapolis, Ind. 



Of fire, and ofhoiy 

York, ■ dy 


Q/Tjcg anc/ 

J/'aj'chouse- 



Office and 

ffiimmoharn . ..'ebama 


BrltfhteivSp' 


• ^'l^RWIIll/IhLUAHS' 
PnumsstVmmis 

A gu^ riMucI Itr E««^ Purpese 


li;i • ■. 'i. 


Oh- - - any- Ty^- 




-'n dj an apoldd, 


bic'jana. 




































Chron olo^cal History 


191 Flood. High water from heavy rains March 24th 
to 26th throughout the United States. Cleveland 
plants under water. Our loss estimated at $100,0(10, by water 
higher than flood of 1883. Opened distributing depot at 
Peoria, Ill. Increased capital to $9,000,000. City warehouse 
opened at 2355 La Salle Street, Chicago. Distributing depot 
opened at Ft. Worth, Texas, and another at Pasadena, Cal. 



1914 

Texas. 


34th Annual Convention in Cleveland, November 
9th to 12th. Distributing depot opened at Houston, 
Distributing depot opened at New Orleans, La. 



1915 *A. W. Frank elected Treasurer upon retirement 
from active duties of that office by S. P. Fenn. 
H. J. Hain made General Superintendent of the Paint and 
Color Manufacturing Departments. Distributing depot 
opened- in Baltimore, Md., Knoxville, Tenn., Albany, N. Y. 
and Columbus, Ohio. September fire destroyed New Orleans 
plant. 


( 38 ) 


















Chronolofijcal Hlsi'oiy 







The Board of Managers 



( 39 ) 


This Board directs the active affairs of the Company and meets 

at least once each week 
















( 40 ) 










































From FaiRer io Son 

By EDW. M. WILLIAMS 

M y father was fond of sports and games of all 
kinds. I have been told he was an exceptionally 
good whist player. The one characteristic displayed 
there was one which, I think, was one of his most marked 
(pialihcations. Older men have told me to what a remarkable 
degree he seemed to be able to see at a glance the possibilities 
of a whist hand. In the same way, in any business discussion, 
the clearness with which he went direct to the vital point 
of the subject under discussion, and was able to brush away 
all confusing and irrelevant side matters, was quite remarkable. 

The two characteristics which stood out very strongly to 
me were his sentiment—not sentimentality—and his fairness 
and justness. 

As to the hrst, I recall a conversation with him, which, 
I think, was somewhere along 1898. At any rate, it was at 
the time when so many great corporations were being put 
together. I asked him if anything of the kind had been 
thought of in the paint business. He said, “Yes.” “It 
would hardly be possible without including our Company, 
would it?” He replied, “No, it would almost have to be based 
upon our Company.” I then asked, “Could it not be done 
with great proht to the stockholders of The Sherwin-Williams 
Co.?” “I think so, undoubtedly.” “Is it quite likely that 
you can go into something of the kind?” “No, it does not 
seem at all possible.” “Why do you say this when it was 
your opinion that it would be very profitable?” “Because 
our success has been principally due to the men about us. 
If we became a part of a larger corporation, we could not be 
sure how they would be taken care of, and we would not for a 
moment consider anything that would jeopardize their 
interests.” 

I remember at the time of his last illness, while he was in 
the hospital in Baltimore, a message was sent him from the 
Annual Convention. He was greatly touched by it and re¬ 
marked to my mother, “I knew the boys would never forget 


( 41 ) 




From Faihor to Son 


me.” As illustrating his imderlyiiig sense of justice, which 
could not be kept down even by a sometimes ciuick temper, 

I remember one time driving to the railway depot with him, 
when, with very little time to spare, the carriage was blocked 
on the depot hill by a teamster. Mr. Williams allowed his 
impatience to get the better of him and berated the man in 
the strong language of which he was master. After we got 
past and down the hill and he had said nothing further, he 
ordered the coachman to turn around, and chasing back 
nearly to Superior Street, he overtook the teamster again and 
apologized for the way he had spoken to him. 

I have had many of the older men tell me how he was 
able to interest himself in their personal affairs—many went 
to him about their personal business, such as life insurance, 
etc., and some even about their families. The thing that 
hurt him most was disloyalty or failure of a man to measure 
up to the trust imposed in him. I recall his referring once or 
twice, when I was a youngster, to someone whom they had 
had to let go because of finding he was guilty of dishonest 
practices. On such occasions he would come home more tired 
than usual and it would take him a good while to become 
composed. I remember one evening, when he was very quiet 
and seemed uninterested in what was going on, I remarked, 
”You seem to be tired tonight.” He said he was. I asked 
him if anything had gone wrong and his remark was, would 
never have to get very tired if I had only myself to think of; 
it is other people’s troubles that cause me the most trouble.” 

At one time it was quite a fad, when a new baby arrived, 
to have a Wish Book, in which parents’ friends might inscribe 
in their own handwriting, each the particular line of good 
fortune which he or she wished for the child. My father 
wrote in one of these, ”May she grow to learn that life’s 
greatest happiness comes to her who ministers to the happi¬ 
ness of others.” I really think that this indicated the main¬ 
spring of his character and aim. The Company was indeed 
one from which he sought to derive a livelihood and more, 
if possible, for himself and his family. Alore particularly 


( 42 ) 






From Faihor io Son 


and more truly, though, I think, he was interested in building 
up an organization which should prove the means of furnish¬ 
ing happiness to many employees and their families. 



The Field of Business 

From “Business Success” by Walter H. Cottingham 

I T IS world-wide in extent. Its cultivation affords the 
ambitious man greater scope and opportunities for his 
activity and ability than any other. There are no limits 
to the possibilities of a business career, excepting the limita¬ 
tions of human capacity and endurance. And this is the day 
of business. In no period of the world’s history has it occu¬ 
pied such an important place. 

Time was when men devoted themselves to concjuest 
by the sword, but now the world’s greatest contests are fought 
and won on the fields of commerce by the great captains of 
industry. To be ‘‘in trade” is no longer a reproach, for 
business as it is constituted today affords ample opportunity 
for the highest honors, for the most enduring fame and for 
unlimited wealth and power. It is a field to attract the able 
and the ambitious, and in which to exercise the greatest 
talents. 

The world is progressing today at a greater speed than 
ever before. Developments and improvements are on every 
side. They are the results of the genius of business. They 
are the rewards of tireless industry and superior ability. 

Let no one think that the best days for business oppor¬ 
tunities have passed. We are in the midst of them. Right 
now the chances of success are greater than they ever were. 
IIut remember this, better training and greater knowledge 
are now necessary to successfully conduct the vast trans¬ 
actions by which the enormous business of our time is oper¬ 
ated than in the days of small things. 


( 43 ) 








Three Important Officials 

Mr. Geo A. Martin is General Manager of the Manufac¬ 
turing Department and the Auxiliaries Department, under 
which also come the Purchasing Department, Lead Mines, 
Zinc and Copper Mines, Smelters, Raw Materials, Linseed 
Oil, Boxes and Plant Equipment. Mr. Martin has been 
identified for many years with the mines and production end 
of the business. 

Mr. Adrian D. Joyce is General Manager of Sales and 
Distribution—a position of great responsibility and a clearing 
house for tremendous work and sales direction. Mr. Joyce 
rose from Traveling Representative to District Manager at 
Kansas City, and was called to Cleveland in 1908 to his pres¬ 
ent work. 

4 

Mr. Andrew W. Frank is Secretary-Treasurer and has 
had very solid growth since joining the Company many years 
ago. Mr. Frank received his early training in finance under 
Mr. Fenn and proved himself so capable that, in 1915, he 
was made Treasurer as well as Secretary. 


( 44 ) 






T he Cover the Earth design was first used in 1895 on 
enclosing slips and then as a single-sheet poster for 
a store in ^^'orcester, Mass. The design worked up 
gradually. It was Mr. Ford’s custom to make pencil sketches 
of any idea that came to him. He would then put them 
away and from time to time go over the collection, adding 
to what he had and making changes as the mood struck him. 



The Cover the Earth sketch was in his drawer a long 
time before he fully realized the possibilities of it and before 
he felt bold enough to suggest that the emblem of the Com¬ 
pany which was then being used, be changed from the 
palette and chameleon, long in use. This latter had been 
designed by Mr. H. A. Sherwin, who was then President, and 
was dear to every one in the Company. 

Mr. Ford, however, could not help but feel that from an 
advertising standpoint it did not quite hit the mark for a 
trade mark. It was beautiful, but not distinctive enough, 
nor cpiickly enough recognized. It took some explanation to 
the uninitiated before they could fully realize its full meaning. 

The whole idea he had in the Cover the Earth design was 
to get something that would catch the eye quickly, tell the 
story with few words and stamp the picture in the mind. 
This it proved itself capable of doing to a far greater extent 
than Mr. Ford ever anticipated. 

In its early days, several imitations of the Cover the 



OurTmcfe^ Mark and its D&si^&r __ 

Earth design appeared, some copying it quite closely, others 
only following the suggestions. On having the similarity 
called to their attention, all of these copyists were willing to 
abandon the use of their imitations. 

In thinking over the steps which led up to the Cover 
the Earth design, Mr. Eord was led back to the time when 
the whole office force of the Advertising Department was 
contained in a little jog in the wall about 8x19 back up against 
the elevator—but not the modern affair—this one had a 
bell attachment so that you never could miss a trip up or 
down. This advertising room had a long walk connected 
with the operating department located on the top and bottom 
stories of the Canal Street building and on the river bank. 
But there was no trouble with the office help in the Adver¬ 
tising Department those days, because there was no one 
there but Mr. Eord at the beginning. He himself drew 
designs for labels, color-cards and all the other advertising 
matter. The idea in those days was to have the color-cards 
changed each year. This seems rather queer to us now that 
we are trying to standardize as much as possible, and know 
the value of sticking to the same design in order that it may 
be easily recognized. Of course, in those early days, the 
salesmen had nothing in an advertising way except color- 
cards, labels and a few banners, so they always liked to have 
new designs. 

Mr. Eord designed the present labels that are being 
used on the SWP, Buggy Paint and several others. 

Pretty soon the Advertising Department began to ex¬ 
pand, having grown to the large number of two, Mr. Eord’s 
assistant being no other than “Larry Greene,” who was later 
our advertising manager. These two men kept records, 
wrote copy, made their own drawings, layouts, selecting type 
and were always busily thinking up new ideas. 

Today our Advertising and Printing Departments 
number a hundred people—all busily engaged originating 
plans to promote the “Cover the Earth” trade mark and 
Sherwin-Williams Paints and Varnishes. 



( 46 ) 












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Some Shenvin-Williams Activities 



( 50 ) 



























Some Sherwin-Williams Facilities 


7 Paint Factories—Cleveland, Chicago, Newark, Mon¬ 
treal, Detroit, Winnipeg, London, England. 

7 District Offices—Cleveland, Newark, Chicago, Kansas 
City, St. Louis, Dallas, San Francisco. 

16 Sales Division Offices—Cleveland, Boston, Newark, 
Philadelphia, Savannah, Cincinnati, Chicago, Minneapolis, 
St. Louis, New Orleans, Kansas City, Omaha, San Francisco, 
Los Angeles, Portland, Dallas. 

27 Warehouses—Boston, Newark, Savannah, Philadel- 
l)hia, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indian¬ 
apolis, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Birmingham, New 
Orleans, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, Denver, Dallas, 
Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, 
Spokane, Toronto, Winnipeg. 

15 Distributing Depots—Albany, Baltimore, New York 
City, Binghamton, Columbus, Knoxville, Peoria, Houston, 
Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Pasadena, Los Angeles, Detroit, 
New Orleans, Pittsburgh. 

Mines—Lead, Zinc, Copper—Magdalena, N. M. 

Smelters—Zinc—Coffeyville, Kan. 

Linseed Oil Mills—Cleveland, Montreal, Winnipeg. 

White Lead Works—Chicago. 

Dry Color Works—Chicago, Cleveland, Newark, Lon¬ 
don, England. 

Chemical and Dye Products Plant—Chicago. 

Insecticide and Fungicide Plants—Chicago, Newark. 

\ arnish Plants—Cleveland, Chicago, Newark, Mon¬ 
treal, London, England. 

Printing and Sampling Department—Cleveland. 

Chemical Laboratories—Cleveland, Chicago, Newark, 
Coffeyville, Magdalena, Montreal, London, England. 

Testing Rooms—Cleveland, Chicago, Newark, Mon¬ 
treal, London, England. 

Research Department—Cleveland. 

Machine Shops—Cleveland, Chicago. 

Tin Can Eactories—Cleveland, Chicago, Montreal, Lon¬ 
don. 

Representatives—363, covering all territories. 


( 51 ) 






















Some Main Lines of Sherwin-Williams 

Manufactures 


Lead, Zinc and Copper Ore 
(miners) 

Zinc Oxide (smelters) 

White Lead (corroders) 
Linseed Oil (producers) 

Paints for every purpose 

X'arnishes for every purpose 

Colors 

Enamels 

Stains 

Fillers 

Shellacs 

Primers 

Thinners 

Driers 

Japans 

Insecticides 

Oils 

Wood Preservatives 
Metal Protective Paints 
Marine Paints and Varnishes 


Railway Paints and Varnishes 

Concrete Finishes 

Glaze Colors 

Stencil Colors 

Stencils 

Polishes (furniture, wood) 
Brass Polishes 
Waxes 
Gold Paints 
Aluminum Paints 
Linseed Oil Soap 
Linseed Meal and Cake 
Graining Colors 
Red Lead 

Sheep Marking Liquid 
Distemper Colors 
F'resco Colors 
Dyes 
Pitch 

Coal-Tar Products 
Etc., etc., etc. 


Sherwin-Williams Inter-Organizations 


Board of Vlanagers 
Manufacturing Committee 
Sales and Advertising Com¬ 
mittee 


Get-Together 

Club 


Cleveland 

(Parent Club) 
Newark 
Chicago 
Kansas City 

Brighten Lip Girls’ Club 

Cleveland 


Foremen’s Club 


(Parent Club) 

Chicago 

Newark 


Foremen’s Auxiliary Club 
Boys’ Club 
Benefit Society 
Glee Club 
Top-Notcher Club 
Long Service Groiij) 
Inspection Committee 
Safety First Committee 
Fire Committee 
Convention Committee 
Welfare Committee 
Baseball Team 
Bowling'Team 
Debating Team 











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